The Battle of Cowpens: Leadership and Innovation That Changed the Course of the Revolutionary War

The Battle of Cowpens took place on January 17, 1781, in South Carolina, where American forces under General Daniel Morgan defeated British forces commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Morgan's army consisted of approximately 1,000 militia and 600 Continental regulars, while Tarleton commanded roughly 1,100 soldiers. The American forces used a two-line defensive formation that allowed the militia to retreat behind the Continental infantry, which held the British charge and routed the enemy cavalry.

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